9:21 AM – Peter's Bedroom
The sun peeked through the linen curtains, pouring warm light across the tangled mess of sheets, limbs, and slow breaths. Ziannah blinked awake first, her lashes brushing Peter's chest. His arms were still wrapped around her, one leg caught lazily between hers, his hand resting over her hip like he owned the moment. And maybe he did.
Zih leaned in, brushing a kiss against his collarbone before slipping out of bed. She wrapped the robe around her naked body and padded quietly to the kitchen.
Peter stirred moments later, reaching for the warmth she left behind. When he felt nothing but sheets, his eyes cracked open. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he heard the soft clinking of glassware in the kitchen.
"You better not be stealing my last bottle of cold brew," he called out groggily.
"You better not be naked when I bring it," she shot back.
Peter laughed, sitting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "No promises."
9:45 AM – Kitchen
Zih handed him a glass, then leaned on the counter, sipping hers. She wore his robe like it belonged to her, hair messy, lips swollen from the night before. Peter just stood there, staring.
"What?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
"You're dangerously hot in the morning," he said.
"And you still owe me pancakes," she smirked.
He grabbed the flour. "I'm a man of my word."
As he whisked batter, Zih danced barefoot to the soft R&B playing on the Bluetooth speaker. She grabbed his phone and snapped a pic of him in boxers, muscles flexing with each stir.
"I'm sending this to Lita. Caption: Daddy in the kitchen," she teased.
Peter lunged to grab the phone, but she danced away.
"Too slow, lover boy."
They laughed like kids, flirted like fire, kissed like sin. Breakfast never tasted so electric.
11:00 AM – Poolside, Same Penthouse
Mikey, Kyle, Mika, and the rest of the crew had started showing signs of life. Half the group lay sprawled on lounge chairs, sunglasses on, hangovers loud. Lita arrived in a crop top and oversized shades, waving her iced coffee like a wand.
"So... the lovebirds survived the night?" she grinned, eyeing Peter and Zih.
"Barely," Peter said, throwing an arm around Zih.
"We heard everything, by the way," Mika added with a mock scowl.
"You're welcome," Zih winked.
Laughter erupted.
1:30 PM – Dressing Room
Zih picked through Peter's wardrobe, deciding to borrow one of his black oversized shirts and her ripped denim shorts. She stood in the mirror, hair down, lips tinted, aura glowing. Peter came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist.
"You planning to kill me wearing my shirt like that?" he murmured.
She leaned back into him. "Just planning to keep you weak all day."
He kissed her neck. "It's working."
3:00 PM – Zara, Uptown Mall
By mid-afternoon, they were in the city's trendiest district, browsing designer stores hand in hand. Zih picked outfits for him, forcing him to model them. He picked lingerie for her, whispering dirty things in her ear.
"You're such a menace," she said, blushing.
"You love it," he grinned.
"I do."
They kissed in changing rooms. Got side-eyed by sales staff. Laughed their way to the car.
6:06 PM – Sunset Drive
Windows down. Music up. Zih leaned out the passenger window, wind in her hair, Peter's hand on her thigh. A soft ballad played, but the silence between them was louder—in the best way.
She looked at him. "You're really my favorite person."
Peter glanced over, smile soft. "You've always been mine."
8:00 PM – Private Beach House
They pulled into the Miller family's beach estate. Waves kissed the shore as twilight dimmed the sky. Inside the open cabana, candles flickered, wine chilled, and the air buzzed with unspoken tension.
Zih stepped onto the balcony, ocean breeze tugging her shirt. Peter came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.
"Round two?" he asked, voice low.
"Always," she whispered.
He spun her around, kissed her hard. Clothes peeled off piece by piece as they stumbled inside.
They made love slow this time. With music in the background, moonlight touching their skin, and the kind of eye contact that burned. Her moans were softer now, like secrets. His name left her lips like prayers.
By the time they finished, they lay on silk sheets, breathless, wordless, but smiling.
11:59 PM – Midnight Dip
Naked under the stars, they swam in the infinity pool. Zih floated on her back, eyes closed. Peter stared, completely gone.
"What?" she asked.
"You're perfect," he said.
"Liar."
"No, really."
She swam to him, wrapped her arms around his neck. "Then don't f*ck it up."
He kissed her, saltwater between them. "I won't."
3:00 AM – Bedroom, Beach House
They lay side by side, talking softly, fingers tangled.
"Are we really doing this?" she asked.
"We already are," he replied.
Zih smiled, eyes fluttering shut. "Good. Because I don't want to go back to pretending you're just my favorite f*ck."
Peter kissed her temple. "You never were. You're the only one who ever mattered."
Outside, the waves kept whispering.
Inside, something real had started.